UFC 265 has a set location and a main event after long speculation by many MMA fans and insiders – however, current UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou will not be on the card, to the shock of many. Instead, top heavyweights Ciryl Gane and Derrick Lewis will be competing for an interim UFC Championship instead at the event which will be held in Houston, Texas. Francis Ngannou was ‘forced to delay’ this UFC fight
Ngannou lambasted the decision on social media via Twitter after sarcastically jabbing: “I remember my interim title fight against Jairzinho …. oh wait” While in a follow up tweet, in response to MMA Insider Ariel Helwani also added: “Nothing has been right here”
Francis is demanding a new fight to Dana White, saying through his representatives that he’ll keep his title and wants to negotiate his next title defense. Ngannou’s manager, Marquel Martin, was more diplomatic in his response, hoping that a deal could still be reached with the UFC as MMA insider for ESPN Brett Okamoto tweeted: “This comes as a complete shock. To make an interim title so soon, if you look at the history of this division, it comes as a surprise. We hope to get clarity and figure out something with the UFC soon.”
Okamoto would also also clarify that the creation of this interim title does not have any impact on Ngannou’s status as UFC Heavyweight champion.
Francis wants far more money from Dana, just recently tweeting about Logan Paul making $20 million against Floyd Mayweather, and asking what UFC is doing wrong. Ngannou demanded a September 25th fight, but Dana wanted August 7th.
Once it was clear Ngannou couldn’t fight on Aug. 7, he was asked and accepted Sept. 25 versus Lewis, sources say. UFC went with the IC title fight on Aug. 7 instead.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 28, 2021
I remember my interim title fight against Jairzinho …. oh wait 🙄
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) June 28, 2021
Nothing has been right here https://t.co/SIeM9uEfBG
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) June 28, 2021
Per Ngannou’s agent, Marquel Martin … “This comes as a complete shock. To make an interim title so soon, if you look at the history of this division, it comes as a surprise. We hope to get clarity and figure out something with the UFC soon.”
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) June 28, 2021
